clutch

Universal Words verb, noun verb 1 to hold sb/sth tightly: [VN] He clutched the child to him. * She stood there, the flowers still clutched in her hand. * [V+adv./prep.] I clutched on to the chair for support 2 ~ (at) sb/sth to take hold of sth suddenly, because you are afraid or in pain: [VN] He gasped and clutched his stomach. * (figurative) [V] Fear clutched at her heart. IDIOMS see STRAW PHRASALVERBS clutch / catch at sth/sb to try to quickly get hold of sth/sb noun 1 [C] the PEDAL in a car or other vehicle that you press with your foot so that you can change GEAR: Put your foot on the clutch. 2 [C] a device in a machine that connects and DISCONNECTS working parts, especially the engine and the GEARS: The car needs a new clutch. 3 a ~ of sth [sing.] (BrE) a group of people, animals or things: He's won a whole clutch of awards. 4 (clutches) [pl.] (informal) power or control: He managed to escape from their clutches. * Now that she had him in her clutches, she wasn't going to let go. 5 [C,usually sing.] a tight hold on sb/sth: (figurative) She felt the sudden clutch of fear. 6 [C] a group of eggs that a bird lays at one time; the young birds that come out of a group of eggs at the same time 7 [C] (AmE) = CLUTCHBAG